Digital Support for Volunteer Firefighteers Erasmus Project

Project Title

Digital Support for Volunteer Firefighteers

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for adult education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Research and innovation; ICT – new technologies – digital competences; Open and distance learning

Project Summary

For many years, the EU has invested in creating policies to prepare the society for Disasters under the Civil Society Mechanisms Policies. According to statistics published by the International Association of Fire and Rescue Services (CTIF) in 2017, the number of registered professional firemen in 28 EU member countries is estimated 370,000 and active volunteer firefighters over 2.5 million. In our country, fire brigade services are carried out by professional fire brigades with the help of government agencies. The concept of voluntary firefighting in our country is very new and it is not known how many official volunteer firefighters exist

Volunteer Firefighters should have various professional skills and competencies, and opportunities should be created to ensure continuous renewal of competencies. DigiFire project aims to increase the quality and effectiveness of EU Civil Protection Mechanism Policies, disaster management policies, lifelong learning policies, Education and training systems within the scope of EU 2020 Strategy; aimed to promote equality, social cohesion and active citizenship and to invest in human capital.To achieve this goal, he chose the method of supporting Volunteer Firefighters with digital training materials.

The DIGI-FIRE project, in which 7 partners from TR, DE, ES, RO countries participated, aimed to realize the method of vocational training of actively working volunteer firefighters in an economical, fast and easy way with e-learning.This project also aimed to serve the spread of voluntary firefighting, specific to Turkey, to Europe.The target group of the project was 125,000 Volunteer Firefighters actively working in the applicant institution and its partners.

The main objectives of the project were;
•Developing the skills of volunteer firefighters who serve actively in a wide range region in EU Member States through digital training materials
•To increase the capacity of NGOs working in the field of Voluntary Firefighting
•To share good examples available in EU member countries in the digital field
•To be prepared for possible catastrophes by increasing the number of Volunteer Firefighters in EU member states
•To provide economical, easy and fast access to educational contents of volunteers living in rural areas with limited opportunities
•Carrying out exchange of experience by transferring good examples of voluntary firefighting to our country
•To Contribute to Voluntary Firefighting Policies

During the project cycle, Digital Training Materials (O2) and Volunteer Fire Brigade e-Learning Portal (O3) outputs were developed.

Project Management Methodology:
The management of the project was based on communication, cooperation and close work at every stage and activity of the project.Experienced experts, managers and administrative personnel worked on the project.All methods were applied, including 4 physical meetings, 11 virtual meetings, individual meetings with project staff, notes, e-mails and other forms of communication held throughout the project. In these processes, the internal evaluation and control mechanism was shared.Other forms of communication during the project were also implemented as part of project management and implementation.

The effects realized in disaster response policies together with the project;
•Partner institutions transferred good practice examples of Voluntary Firefighting to our country, and we had the chance to exchange experiences.
•The project promoted new teaching methods and updated the training curriculum according to needs.
•Volunteer firefighters trained at international standards in the field of firefighting services increased.
•Supporting the implementation of a similar project in EU countries through EU funds was encouraged.

Dissemination Works;
*Multiplier Events performed(E1-2)
*It was implemented to the public with the project introduction meeting and the project closing meeting.Branding, Logo design and visibility items were prepared. Shared in all media channels and promotional products.
*Information, images and results about the project were shared on the web pages serving in the field of search and rescue.
*Our international partners shared information about the project on their own web pages and social media accounts.
*One-on-one meetings, workshops and different activities were held with relevant stakeholders.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 165801,71 Eur

Project Coordinator

BURSA BUYUKSEHIR BELEDIYESI & Country: TR

Project Partners

• Asociación Internacional de estudios de Bomberos
• BURSA ULUDAG UNIVERSITESI
• TUM GONULLU ITFAIYECILER DERNEGI
• Bursa Gönüllü Itfaiyeciler Dernegi
• WISAMAR BILDUNGSGESELLSCHAFT GEMEINNUTZIGE GMBH
• INSPECTORATULUI GENERAL PENTRU SITUATII DE URGENTA